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program-launcher posts

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

WinExt is a powerful alternative to the Windows Taskbar

Windowsby Brad Linder Oct 13th 2009

WinExt
WinExt is a free utility that adds a toolbar to the top or bottom of your Windows PC that provides quick access to a ton of features and programs.

For instance, it automatically grabs the bookmarks from your default web browser and adds them to the URLs menu allowing you to launch your web browser and open any of your bookmarks in just a few clicks. (Arguably, you could already do this in just a few clicks, but this way you can do it without waiting for the browser to load in between clicks).

There are also drop-down menus for files and shortcuts stored on your desktop, in your My Documents menu, and your My Computer area. Programs are grabbed from the Windows Start Menu, and any items that appear in your Windows Quick Start Menu will be added as icons to a quick launch area of WinExt. In other words, WinExt does everything the Windows Taskbar does, and then some, allowing you to hide the Windows Taskbar if you don't need it anymore.

You can also enable a CPU and RAM usage meter, a time and date area, a battery indicator, and an uptime meter. The size of the menu bar can be adjusted, you can customize the theme, and use WinExt to create and store notes. An error message pops up every time you try to save a note, but it seems to store them just fine anyway.

[via instant fundas]

Tags: program-launcher, taskbar, winext

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

MedalFolders: Program launcher that hangs out in the system tray

Windowsby Brad Linder Oct 1st 2009

MedalFolders
MedalFolders is sort of like a simple favorites menu for Windows. The program adds an icon to your system tray. When you click on the little red folder icon with a white star, a menu with shortcuts to your favorite applications and files opens up.

You can add shortcuts by clicking the "Open MedalFolders" option and dragging and dropping items. The program will automatically decide whether the item is an application or something else. Everything that doesn't fall under the Applications heading gets sent off to live in the Files and Folders area. And each category is arranged alphabetically. There are no sorting options.

The program uses about 10 to 20MB of RAM, which isn't much if you have a fairly modern computer, but considering the limited functionality I would have expected MedalFolders to be a little lighter weight. Still, if you don't need a lot of bells and whistles, but just need a quick way to access a bunch of files, folders, and applications and don't feel like using the Windows Quick Start menu, the program might be worth checking out.

[via Freeware Genius]

Tags: medalfolders, program-launcher

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Beta

CodySafe app launcher gives PortableApps suite some competition

Windowsby Brad Linder Apr 27th 2009

CodySafe
CodySafe is a program launcher for WIndows that can be installed to a USB flash drive to give you quick access to any portable applications stored on your drive. In other words, it's a lot like the PortableApps Start Menu. But there are a few things that make CodySafe worth checking out, even though it's still in beta.

First, in addition to letting you organize your applications, you can organize documents on your flash drive much the same way you do on a Windows PC, by sorting items into pictures, music, video, and documents, with shortcuts to each on your start menu. Second, CodySafe has a ton of customization options, including:
  • Customize your start menu by arranging items into groups
  • Add programs to an Autorun menu so they will launch whenever you run the CodySafe menu
  • CodySafe Control panel lets you adjust the language, system settings, or scan the disk for errors
  • Set custom command line parameters for each application
You can either install a handful of portable apps from CodySafe's web site, or you can use the application manager in the CodySafe options menu to add any app stored on your flash disk, including programs from PortableApps.com, Pendriveapps, and The Portable Freeware Collection.

CodySafe is a free utility. Future versions will include file, folder, and disk encryption, and a disk backup tool.

Tags: codysafe, portable-applications, portable-apps, program-launcher

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware, Open Source

Appetizer: Open source, portable application launcher

Windowsby Brad Linder Apr 23rd 2009

Appetizer
There's no shortage of free dock-style application launchers for Windows. But there are a few things that make Appetizer stand out from the crowd. First, it's open source, which makes it easy for anyone to develop skins, plugins, or other features for the application. Second, it can run as a portable application, which means you can either install it on your Windows system or run it from a USB flash drive.

When you first run Appetizer, you're presented with an option to import shortcuts from your Windows start menu, quick launch menu, or your Portable Apps files if you're running the program on a computer with a Portable Apps-enabled USB flash drive plugged in.

You can also add program shortcuts manually and change the look and feel of Appetizer by adjusting the icon size, program transparency, and even orientation (horizontal or vertical). You can also download alternate skins for Appetizer. The program is currently available in about a dozen languages, although not all of the translations are complete.

[via Life Rocks 2.0]

Tags: appetizer, dock, program-launcher

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Launch a list of programs from one shortcut with Utility Launcher

Windowsby Brad Linder Jan 22nd 2009

Utility Launcher
Utility Launcher is a free Windows application that lets you create an ordered list of Windows utilities to launch. If you have a couple of apps that you launch every day, but don't want to add them to the Windows startup routine and bog down your boot speed, Utility Launcher could come in handy.

Here's how it works. You download and unzip the application to any folder. Then click the menu button and start adding utilities to the list. Once you save the list, any time you click the Utility Launcher application you'll see the same list. Just click run to launch the first program in your list. Click run again and the second program will load. And so on. If you create a shortcut to the Utility Launcher.exe file and save it on your desktop or in your quick start menu, you can access your list anytime you need it with just one click.

When creating your list, you'll want to take care to put the programs in the order you want them to launch in. Rearranging the list is pretty tricky. You can delete items or delete the entire list, but you can't move an application from spot 3 to spot 1.

[via Life Rocks 2.0]

Tags: program-launcher, shortcuts, utility-launcher

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware

Microsoft finally gets into the keyboard app launcher biz with Speed Launch

Windowsby Brad Linder Aug 19th 2008

Speed Launch
If you've ever used a keyboard app launcher like Launchy, Executor, Quicksilver, or Gnome Do you've probably asked yourself, why doesn't Microsoft build something like this into Windows? Now Microsoft Office Labs has released a free keyboard launcher called Speed Launch.

Speed Launch adds a little bull's eyee to your desktop. To add a frequently used program, file, or document, to Speed Launch, just drag it to the target. You can then activate Speed Launch by hitting Win+C to bring up the program window. You can either hit the buttons to perform specified actions or type into the box. In other words, it does pretty much what you'd expect any keyboard launcher to do.

But Speed Launch has a few quirks. First, the program doesn't lose focus or go away unless you hit the X button in the upper right. Second, there doesn't seem to be a way to change the hotkeys that bring up the Speed Launch window. So if, like me, you happen to have a computer with an awkwardly-placed Windows key, there's no way to change the hotkeys.

The program is also a bit of a memory hog, using as much as 30MB of RAM, which is far more than similar programs like Launchy or Executor use. That seems strange, especially considering the fact that Speed Launch doesn't index your program files or start menu items automatically, something which both of those other programs do.

Overall, Speed Launch doesn't stack up particularly well against the competition. But it's worth keeping in mind that this is an experimental project that's still under development.

Tags: executor, launchy, microsoft, program-launcher, speed-launch

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Executor: Light weight but powerful keyboard app launcher

Windowsby Brad Linder Aug 19th 2008

Executor
Executor is an application that lets you launch programs open URLs, or perform other actions with just a few keystrokes. At first glance, it looks a lot like Launchy. Both programs are free utilities for Windows that let you run programs without reaching for the mouse. And both will scan default and user-selected directories looking for a list of programs. But Executor wins hands down when it comes to customization options.

Probably the coolest feature in Executor is the ability to assign global hotkeys. You can add keywords for any program by dragging and dropping a shortcut or executable file into the kewyord section under the settings tab. And then you can select a global hotkey to press to bring up that application without even pulling up the Executor window. For example, I can now luanch the Irfanview image viewer either by hitting Ctrl+Z to bring up Executor and typing in "irfanview," or I can just hit Ctrl+I.

Here are a few other features that make Executor stand out:
  • Supports keyword "find [text]| for using Windows Vista search or Windows Desktop Search
  • You can configure a drop down menu to display additional results or to stay hidden
  • You can customize the heck out of the layout by changing the skin, fonts, dimensions, position, and transparency
  • Use a single keyword to start multiple programs/documents/etc
  • Assign properties to each keyword
[via Lifehacker]

Tags: executor, launchy, program-launcher

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware, Open Source

Circle Dock: Stop going out of your way to launch apps

Windowsby Brad Linder Aug 15th 2008

Circle Dock
There are plenty of dock-style applications launchers for Windows. But most have one thing in common: You anchor them to the top, bottom, or side of the screen and then scroll your mouse over that portion of the screen to bring up a list of applications. Circle Dock is different, because this free application launcher it appears where your mouse already is instead of making you move your mouse.

Like most application launches, Circle Dock comes with a list of icons for frequently used programs, like the Control Panel, your default browser, and the recycling bin. You can add shortcuts by dragging them from your desktop or quick launch bar and customize to your heart's content.

Circle Dock has a ton of visual customization options as well. You can either display your icons in concentric circles, or as a spiral. You can add a rotating animation effect to the spiral to make yourself dizzy. There are a more than 30 skins to choose from. And you can decide whether the dock is always visible or if it disappears when the program loses focus or when you click an application icon. One other feature which I wish every application launcher had (and which many, but not all, do have) is the ability to select from a handful of keyboard shortcuts to show or hide the dock.

[via CyberNet]

Tags: application-launcher, circle-dock, dock, program-launcher

Filed under: Windows Mobile, Commercial, Mobile Minute

Spb Mobile Shell 2.0 makes Windows Mobile more finger friendly

by Brad Linder Mar 4th 2008



Ever since Steve Jobs explained how iPhone users don't need a stylus, Windows Mobile users who keep misplacing theirs have had a bit of no-stylus envy. So companies keep concocting finger-friendly application suites and program launchers for Windows Mobile. The problem is that the overall Windows Mobile interface is still designed to act like Windows, with a start menu and small icons that are easiest to access with a fine-tipped stylus. But the best finger-friendly applications, like Spb Mobile Shell don't make you look at the default Windows Mobile interface very often.

Spb has just released version 2.0 of its Mobile Shell, with a bunch of new and updated features:
  • Tabbed window with access to all of the Spb Mobile Shell features
  • Full screen dialogs for time and weather
  • Animated transitions
  • Gesture navigation
Basically, Spb Mobile Shell is an attractive program launcher. You absolutely don't need this program to get the most out of your Windows Mobile PDA or phone. But it sure makes your mobile device prettier to look at.

Spb Mobile Shell 2.0 is available for Windows Mobile 5.0 and newer devices. A full license will set you back $30, but existing customers can upgrade for half price. There's also a 15 day free trial available.

Tags: program-launcher, spb-mobile-shell, spb-mobile-shell-2.0

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

sTabLauncher

Windowsby Brad Linder Feb 18th 2008

sTabLauncher
Dock-style program launchers are great if you have 10-15 applications that you use all the time. But if you have dozens of applications that you regularly need to launch, you can quickly fill up a utility like RocketDock with more program icons than you can fit on your desk. sTabLauncher solves this problem by letting you create tabs in your dock. You can populate each Tab with as many icons as you like.

sTabLauncher is highly customizable. You can change the appearance of the whole dock, lock it to the top of your screen or the bottom, or customize individual tabs. Right-clicking on a tab lets you add programs and descriptions. You can even rearrange tabs by dragging and dropping them.

sTabLauncher also happens to be free and doesn't eat up much RAM.

[via CyberNet]

Tags: launcher, program-launcher, rocketdock, stablauncher

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Productivity, Microsoft, Freeware

Enso Launcher now free

Windowsby Jason Clarke Feb 10th 2008

Enso launcher About a year ago we first discussed an intriguing but flawed program launcher called Enso. The big knocks against it in our review were that it had a large memory footprint, and that it was a commercial application competing against a number of very good free launchers.

For some people, memory footprint will continue to be an issue. However, memory continues to drop in price, and it's not uncommon to be running 2 to 4 GB of system RAM today. If you're in that situation, does an application eating up 45 MB of RAM really matter that much?

If price was your main reason for not trying Enso Launcher (or for not sticking with it), it's your lucky day. The folks at Humanized have decided to make Enso a free product.

There's no doubt that Enso is a beautiful application launcher, and with a price tag of free it becomes quite compelling. We'd still like to see them change the syntax so that instead of verb-subject (i.e. Go Firefox) it was structured subject-verb more like Quicksliver on the Mac. That's really a minor quibble though. If you value style as much as functionality on your PC, Enso Launcher is certainly worth a second look.

Tags: Enso, Enso-Launcher, launcher, program-launcher, Quicksilver

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